Press Release

Total recall of proprietary Chinese medicines in capsule dose form imported by Kin Lik Trading Company Limited

24 May 2012

The Department of Health (DH) today (May 24) endorsed the recall of all registered proprietary Chinese medicines (pCms) in capsule dose form imported by a licensed pCm wholesaler, Kin Lik Trading Company Limited (Kin Lik), from shelf as the capsule of one of its products was found to be tainted by chromium that exceeds the recommended limit.

"The recall follows Kin Lik's declaration to DH about the testing result of the capsule of a pCm manufactured in Mainland, named Superior Gan Mao Qing Capsules (Registration number: HKP-01895), which contained chromium content exceeding the recommended limit of 2ppm, as stated in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. The declaration is one of DH's control measures to ensure the quality of pCms since incidents of chromium-tainted capsules were reported in the Mainland." a DH spokesman said.

"Although the investigation is on-going, the Department considered that a total recall of pCms in capsule dose form imported by Kin Lik is warranted in the interest of public safety. A total of two capsule dose form pCms are involved. Apart from Gan Mao Qing Capsules, another one is Quick Acting Gan Mao Qing Capsules (Registration number: HKP-01897)," the spokesman remarked.

"Preliminary information showed that the capsule of the above affected pCm were obtained from the Mainland. While investigation is on-going, DH has liaised with the Mainland authority for further information and follow up," the spokesman continued.

"For the aforementioned cases, if one consumes the pCms according to their respective dosage instruction, the level of chromium detected is considered unlikely to cause acute harmful effects by taking reference to the recommendation made by the World Health Organization, " he stressed.

Members of the public can call Kin Lik's hotline at 2498 5063 for related enquiries. DH will closely monitor the recall.

The spokesman reiterated that since incidents of chromium-tainted capsules were reported in the Mainland, DH has written to all product certificate holders of pCm urging them to examine their products to ascertain source of their capsules, and submit laboratory test reports for chromium should empty capsules be supplied by the Mainland. DH also tests samples of pCm capsules via the surveillance scheme.

"DH will continue investigation and closely monitor the situation of chromium-tainted capsules incidents in the Mainland," he said.

The spokesman urges those members of the public who have purchased the pCms to stop using it immediately and surrender the product to DH at 16/F, Two Landmark East, Kwun Tong, Kowloon.

For those who have used the pCms and feel unwell, they should seek advice from their healthcare providers as soon as possible. So far, DH has not received any adverse report related to the products.

The Department of Health also endorsed the recall of Quick Acting Gan Mao Qing Capsules (registration number: HKP-01897) from shelves by a licensed proprietary Chinese medicines wholesaler, Kin Lik Trading Company Limited.

The Department of Health today (May 24) endorsed the recall of Superior Gan Mao Qing Capsules (registration number: HKP-01895) from shelves by a licensed proprietary Chinese medicines wholesaler, Kin Lik Trading Company Limited.